Best Places to Brunch in Chattanooga

Updated April 2019. Every summer, Chattanooga has its annual Restaurant Week (here I am, writing about food again). It’s a celebration of the incredible food scene and culture in town, all sponsored and organized by Chattanooga Magazine. Throughout the week, more than 30 restaurants around Chattanooga will feature special menus with seasonal fare from local farms. I’m excited to check out as much as I can.

I’m going to honor Restaurant Week on the blog by talking about one of my favorite parts of Chattanooga’s food scene. Brunch is one of the best ways to spend a few hours on a weekend catching up with friends, enjoying delicious food and sipping on a nice drink.  It’s serious business in this town, and I love it.

As a friend of mine said it: “Nashville has hot chicken. Memphis has barbecue. Chattanooga has brunch.” I can’t vouch for Memphis ‘cue (I am a North Carolina girl after all), but I’ll take brunch over hot chicken any day.

And yes, “brunch” is a verb and I use it avidly.

Here are some of the best places to brunch in Chattanooga!

First up are the restaurants I have brunched at so far:

Feed Co. Table & Tavern // Chef Charlie Loomis does everything right at Feed Co. The menu highlight seasonal, farm-fresh flavors, prepared simply and most deliciously. I’m a huge fan of the Strawberry Short Stack of pancakes, and several of my friends swear by the Huevos Rancheros.

Flying Squirrel // We already know this is one of my favorite spots in Chattanooga. Their menu is super varied and has options for any and every taste: sweet, savory, meaty, vegetarian. I’ll never say no to a good egg, meat and grits plate–they call it the “Triple Play” here–but sometimes I’ll change it up with a frittata or a Croque Squirrel sandwich (don’t worry, there’s not actually squirrel on the sandwich).

Tupelo Honey Cafe // This was one of the first places I ate at when I moved here last summer! It’s good Southern soul food served for every meal, with their takes classics like eggs Benedict, French toast and the country breakfast. They also offer “grits bowls” meals and scrambles, which all sound delicious. I highly recommend the Eggs Betty. Tupelo Honey’s buttermilk biscuits with homemade blackberry jam are the perfect way to start the meal.

Foodworks // Talk about a fantastic brunch. Foodworks’ menu features a variety of plates for all tastes, and $1 mimosas and $3 Bloody Marys with a brunch entree. If you catch the Banana Bread French Toast on the menu, order it. Trust me. The chicken & waffles is quite tasty, too, as are the shrimp & grits (according to my mother).

STIR // Waffle-crusted chicken and $1 mimosas? I’m all about that. I love their unique twist on chicken and waffles, and their classic egg-grits-and-meat plate is a great option, too. Totally not brunch-related, but STIR’s mint julep is my favorite in town.

The Bitter Alibi // The only thing better than brunch at Bitter Alibi is that it’s served during the week, too. Brunch on a Thursday? I’ll take it. I have yet to try their breakfast burrito, but I’ve never heard a single bad thing about it. Be sure to check out The Daily Ration, too, another restaurant owned by the same guys who own Bitter Alibi!

State of Confusion // I’ve only had brunch at State of Confusion once, and I have to say I was pretty impressed! SOC is a really unique addition to Chattanooga’s food scene; their menu is inspired by Peruvian and Argentinian cuisine, yet still rooted in the Southside. I’ve heard their ceviche is quite good, but I’ll stick to the breakfast burrito. Bonus: their cocktails are on tap, and they use house-pressed sugarcane syrup.

Easy Bistro // I’ve had a couple of work dinners at Easy, but since it’s a bit nicer and thus pricier, it’s not one of my most-visited restaurants in Chattanooga. Although if you’re looking for a classed-up brunch, then Easy Bistro is the place for you. Can you imagine ending a lovely brunch with their bourbon bread pudding? Yes, please.

Chattanooga Brewing Co. // Yes indeed, one of Chattanooga’s most well-known breweries now offers brunch! CBC launched its brunch menu late in 2017 and I recently got around to checking it out. I love a good, traditional Southern breakfast with eggs, bacon, grits and a biscuit. And of course they have some beer cocktails to go with your brunch.

Broad Street Grille // It isn’t just any brunch at Broad Street Grille…it’s an award-winning champagne Sunday brunch. You had me at “champagne,” BSG. The menu changes weekly, based on specialities available from local farmers and vendors. The buffet features a carving, waffle and omelet stations, and of course mimosas are included.

Embargo 62 // Cuban cuisine meets brunch. Anywhere I can get Cuban bread, croquettas, and cafe con leche is a great place. And they rock a classic Cuban sandwich, of course. (I actually haven’t been here for brunch in a while, and now I want empanadas.)

Syrup & Eggs // An old fire hall in the St. Elmo neighborhood is now a hopping brunch spot! As the name may suggest, Syrup & Eggs’ speciality is their pancakes, and they offer sweet, savory and “surprise” varieties. The menu also features gluten-free options, and the Friday “surprise” stack is vegan-friendly.

Frothy Monkey // This place literally does everything, and they do it all right. I’m a huge fan of their classic biscuits & gravy, especially since you can order a “half” size, which is plenty for my appetite.

HONORABLE MENTION: Hi-Fi Clyde’s (formerly Clyde’s On Main), solely for their Brunch Punch. It’s the best $4 hangover cure you’ll ever find.

Brunch is one of my favorite outings in Chattanooga, and there are plenty of amazing places to enjoy a good Sunday (or Saturday) meal. Who wants to start a brunch club?

What’s your favorite place to brunch in your city?